DCHa Moves Forward with More Sustainable Efforts on Earth Day

The District of Columbia Housing Authority is adding solar panels to nine of its properties, in addition to making other sustainable improvements that benefit customers.

“This is just another piece of the many energy efficiency projects we are taking on,” said DCHA Executive Director Adrianne Todman. “The savings we will see from having these solar panels will be used to reinvest in our sites.”

While DCHA has solar panels and other renewable energy devices at several new properties, such as Sheridan Station, this is the first time panels will be placed on traditional public housing. SolarCity, a nationally recognized solar energy company, will place panels on rooftops and will receive tax credits in return. Selected properties include Benning Terrace, Elvans Road, Fort DuPont, Fort Lincoln, Greenleaf Family, Hopkins Apartments, Kelly Miller, Langston Terrace, and the DCHA Warehouse. These properties are subject to change.

In addition to the energy savings, SolarCity will offer job training to DCHA customers.

“These are sustainable jobs to support our customers and their families,” Todman said.

Another upcoming sustainable project is the creation of a power plant at Langston Terrace. The Board of Commissioners recently approved more than $100 million to develop a combined heating and cooling plant, as well as other improvements at 44 properties. The power plant will build a microgrid that produces enough power to produce 100 percent of the electricity at Langston Terrace and as much as 15 percent of the electricity at DCHA’s remaining properties, based on feasibility studies.

DCHA Operations staff is also making sustainable improvements that beautify properties. New trees will be planted at Woodland Terrace and Benning Terrace. The team will also work with Earth Conservation Corps and Homeland Security at Greenleaf planting flowers shrubs and mulching.